@article{2859,
  keywords = {pig, boar taint, castration, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio},
  author = {T Fuchs and H Nathues and A Koehrmann and S Andrews and F Brock and G Klein and E große Beilage},
  title = {Comparative growth performance of pigs immunised with a gonadotrophin releasing factor vaccine with surgically castrated pigs and entire boars raised under conventionally managed conditions},
  abstract = {The objective of this study was to determine the effect of using a gonadotrophinreleasing factor (GnRF) vaccine on growth performance of male pigs. Vaccinatedpigs were compared with surgically castrated pigs and entire males under conventionallymanaged farm conditions. Male pigs were randomly assigned to threetreatment groups: pigs surgically castrated during the first week of life (group “C“,n = 274), pigs immunised twice during the fattening period with a GnRF vaccine,the first when 13–14 weeks of age and the second when 20–21 weeks of age(group “V“, n = 280) and entire males (group “E“, n = 56). Average daily weight gain(ADG) was measured during the study. Additionally, feed conversion ratio (FCR) asdefined by feed intake/weight gain and feed consumption was assessed duringthe fattening period. No difference in the ADG during the fattening period couldbe determined between “C“ and “V“. From the start of the study until slaughter atstudy day 160/173 the ADG in group “E“ was lower (625 g/day; P) than in group“C“ (681 g/day; P},
  year = {2011},
  journal = {Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift},
  volume = {124},
  pages = {22-27},
  month = {01/2011},
  publisher = {Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG},
  address = {Hannover},
  issn = {0005-9366},
  doi = {10.2376/0005-9366-124-22},
  language = {English},
}